Fossil Q Founder unboxing and hands-on

A pretty good first impression of what should be a really good Android smartwatch.

It's a little rare for us to not actually get a good look at a new Android Wear watch until it's actually on sale, but such is the case for the Fossil Q Founder. It's the first from Fossil to run Google's wearable version of Android. And since this is a longtime watchmaker (among other things, of course) we're talking about, Fossil's watch has also been highly anticipated.

What's more is that it's one of the first Android Wear smartwatches to use an Intel processor. So we've got a good bit to explore here. And since this is our first look at the watch, it's time for an old-fashioned unboxing and hands-on.

The first thing you'll notice about the Q Founder is that it's packaged like you'd expect a watch to be. Good-size box, with the watch resting on a little watch pillow, as watches do when they're resting. Only, this pillow serves a Qi charger. I'm not crazy about it. The off white color makes me worry about it becoming a yellowed charger at some point. It's big. I don't know how (or if, really) I'd be able to travel with this thing. But because it's a Qi charger you might have alternatives. The lugs on the Q Founder (where the bracelet meets the body) lip over ever so slightly, though, so this may be tricky.

Hope you like large chargers.

There's a good bit of plastic to get off the watch before you start wearing it. (And, in fact, there are two screen protectors. I didn't find the second one util I'd been wearing it for an hour or so.) The bracelet's links are connected by pins, so you'll either want to pick up a jeweler's kit on Amazon for a few bucks (which I highly recommend doing if you're going to be dabbling in watches) or have a jeweler do it for you. Fossil's pins were a little different than others I've seen, but it was still just a matter of hammering them out, removing links, then reattaching everything.

I'm mostly digging the body of the watch. The flat tire is unfortunate — I'm in the camp of folks who believes round watches should have circles for watch faces, ambient light sensor be damned — but it is what it is. If that's a deal-breaker for you, move on. The 1.5-inch LCD display is 360 by 326 for 240 pixels per inch, not quite as dense (and just barely noticeably so) as the Huawei Watch's 1.4-inch AMOLED display. Side by side, I prefer Huawei's. Whites aren't gray.

An elegant metal smartwatch, but there is that flat tire ...

There's a lot about this watch that reminds me of the LG Watch Urbane, particularly when I said that the Urbane looked like someone said "Make a watch that's nice, but not too nice." That was sort of damning a $349 watch (at retail release, anyway — it's $100 cheaper now) with feint praise. Fossil's Q Founder definitely is nicer, with more attention to detail — and still coming in just under $300. But it's still sort of a nondescript Android Wear watch. It's got a few custom watch faces that have the logo on them, but there's really nothing about the overall design that screams "Fossil." Maybe that'll change with the leather option. We'll see.

For now, though? If you're fine with an oversized pillow charger and flat-tire display, this is definitely a watch you're going to want to look at.

Reader comments

Fossil Q Founder unboxing and hands-on

Thanks for mentioning the second screen protector, covering just the display! The second screen protector started scratching immediately when cleaning with a microfiber cloth. Knowing the LG G-Watch R had a plastic display screen made me instantly worry about durability. Fossil primarily uses 'Mineral Crystal' for their traditional watches, not Gorilla Glass or sapphire. Also, this LCD display is somewhat brighter than OLED, making the flat tire/light sensor necessary. Otherwise the Fossil Founder would have disappointing battery life.

Really like this watch a lot, has a nice heavy feel to it. I had a moto 360 before so the flat tire at the bottom doesn't bother me. Battery life so far hasn't been that impressive, but hoping that will get better with time.

I haven't had the time yet to see one in person and will do so soon. I really like the look of this. For those who have hand on/own one, have we found out if it works with other Qi chargers. Maybe a flat samsung one or even a moto 360 charger?

I just can't seem to get onboard with the whole smart watch thing yet.. I can't see the appeal other that satisfying the tech junkie side of us that sees something new and cool looking and wants it. The Huawei Watch is gorgeous looking and the Fossil looks great. I like how the classic style smart watches look. But, can anyone give me some kind of insight as to what makes a smart watch a good buy? They just seem unnecessary, I came close to getting one but then I started to ask myself what I'd really do with it.

Convenience, if you work any type of job where it's unacceptable to pull out your cell phone or even have it on you it's nice to just look at your watch to see what/who that email/call/IM is from to determine how to proceed. Why not have that on your wrist. I wouldn't even wear a watch without it....watches are obsolete as it is, something has to make it worth putting on in the morning other than just telling time, lol.

No issues with flat tire, really a non issue... And this watch to me looks way better than the urbane... This looks like a regular watch... No one will know it's a smart watch unless they are close to see the face...... Not sure if you guys know, smart watches(owner of 360) make you look even dorkier. I just happen not to care and find it very convenient.

I bought one and don't mind the flat tire. It's kinda nice having the display adjust for different lighting situations. As far as difference from 360 LG and Huawei this just felt more comfortable but maybe its cause I've worn watches my whole life.

Darn, was excited for this...but the flat tire. That's a no go. I really wish ***** consumers hadn't purchased a watch with a stupid blank space on it leading to other companies to believe that it's a good idea. Now we are stuck with more of them. I really want to collectively slap every single moto 360 owner in the face with extreme prejudice for fcking life up for the rest of us...

PS - I love your work Phil, but that was a weak review. Nothing more than a mention about the processor, transitions, or anything else Fossil may have done to make it different. You're still a rock star!

The watch looks good...until you turn on the screen. Then it looks as horrible as the Moto 360.
No thanks.
For those prices I'd rather continue to get LG watches....and I haven't even felt the need to replace my GWAR anyway.

I like the way this looks. The"flat tire" look is a bit off putting by I imagine simply not using watch faces that display it may help me forget. Does look good though. The leather strap would be a must to buy as well to switch out for a different feel and look too.

What do you mean by it not having a place? In comparison to the rest of the watch world, the smart watch landscape is still a barren desert with more than enough room options, choice and innovation. I'm hoping that more watch makers get in on the game so that we have even MORE options. How would you feel if you went into a bar for a beer and they handed you one without asking what type and their answer to your inquisitive gaze was that you only need one?
Perhaps I misunderstood.